Enviroschools

A programme that helps schools take a long term, holistic and whole school approach to sustainability. Facilitators help schools take sustainability actions that are important to them and their communities.

Enviroschools is an action-based approach to education through which children and young people plan, design and implement sustainable projects and become catalysts for change in their families and the wider community.

The Enviroschools network reaches 240,000 children and young people through 30% of New Zealand’s schools and kura, with growing participation from the early childhood sector.

A network of over 60 facilitators work alongside students, teachers, whānau and community to establish and support schools in their action learning journey. Empowering students is central to the Enviroschools action learning cycle approach. Learning about and incorporating Māori perspectives and the diversity within our communities is also woven through all elements of the programme.

The Enviroschools service for Lower Hutt is delivered with Hutt City Council's financial support.

Lower Hutt currently has 27 enviroschools including seven kindergartens and four diverse ECE. Research shows that Enviroschools who move through the programme's holistic reflection stages embed actions and practices more deeply across all parts of their schools. Three local schools have reflected at Green Gold, five at Silver and eight at Bronze level.

Lower Hutt's Enviroschools are:

Arakura Kindergarten - Bronze

Boulcott Kindergarten

Boulcott School - Silver

East Harbour Kindergarten - Bronze

Eastern Hutt School - Green Gold

Imagine Childcare

Kelson Kindergarten - Bronze

Koraunui School – Bronze

Lollipops Educare Petone

Lollipops Educare Waiwhetu

Maranatha Christian School - Green Gold

Maungaraki School - Silver

Muritai School - Green Gold

Normandale Schools

Naenae Kindergarten

Naenae School - Green Gold

Our Lady of Rosary School (Waiwhetu)

Rata Street School - Silver

San Antonio School (Eastbourne) - Bronze

Smiley Faces Educare

Sun Valley Kindergarten (Wainuiomata)

Tawhai School – Bronze

Taita Kindergarten

Tui Glen School

Wainuiomata Primary School - Silver

Waterloo School - Bronze

Wellesley College - Bronze

Lower Hutt's Enviroschools are supported through two local trained facilitators who work with each school individually to map out a journey to achieving their sustainability vision. The process is flexible and takes into account the preferences and wishes of the students and staff involved. Implementing actions around recycling systems, composting, gardening, water and energy conservation can all be part of the journey.

We have 17 Enviroschools that are unable to, or do not wish to commit to the full programme. They receive the Enviroschools newsletter, other communications, and may attend networking and professional development events. These schools are often taking their own steps and actions around sustainability.

18 other schools in Lower Hutt are connected to the Enviroschools network. They often attend networking and professional development events and receive the Enviroschools newsletter but are not able to, or do not wish to commit to the full programme. These schools are often taking their own steps and actions around sustainability.

Te Aho Turoa

Te Ara Whānui Kura Kaupapa Māori (language immersion school) and the Naenae Kohanga Reo is part of Te Aho Turoa. Its a programme in Te Reo Māori working with kōhanga/puna reo, kura, wharekura and communities that embraces Māori culture, language and wisdom.

How to get in touch

If you are a staff member of a local pre-school, kura or school, and would like to know more, visit the local Enviroschools website. Or you can contact the Lower Hutt facilitators: